The Philippines and Japan have bolstered military cooperation against the backdrop of China's perceived threats in the region, as the two countries signed on Thursday, Jan. 15, an agreement that allows each other a reciprocal provision of necessary supplies during joint training and operations.

Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro and Japanese Foreign Affairs Minister Motegi Toshimitsu started the year meeting in Manila for the signing of the Acquisition and Cross Servicing Agreement (ACSA), a deal that would complement the existing Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) between the two countries.

A press briefing held a day prior by the Japanese Foreign Ministry with select Philippine media said the agreement will provide "a legal framework" so militaries of both sides can exchange logistical support, such as fuel, food, transportation, medical services, and spare parts, during various operations.

Delivering a press statement after the signing, Lazaro said the agreement "aims to enhance" Manila and Tokyo's "mutual military interoperability and readiness."

This came as Motegi, in his statement, stressed that "the Philippines is a strategic partner of Japan, connected by the sea."

Apart from ACSA, Lazaro and Motegi inked two more bilateral agreements, namely the Exchange of Notes for the Official Security Assistance (OSA) amounting to P341 million and the Exchange of Notes for the Grant Aid for the Establishment of Wireless Broadband Connectivity for Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi amounting to P617 million.

According to Motegi, this year's OSA is the "first infrastructure project under Japan's OSA program," where both countries will construct boathouses and slipways for rigid-hull inflatable boats (RHIBs).

"The signing of these agreements reflects the close and evolving collaboration between the Philippines and Japan under our Strengthened Strategic Partnership, and supports ongoing collaboration across priority areas of the relationship," Lazaro said.

Kitamura Toshihiro, press secretary for Japan's Foreign Affairs Ministry, said the Philippines is the 11th country with which Japan entered into the similar agreement.

In October 2025, during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and Related Summits in Malaysia, President Marcos and Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae agreed "in principle" to eventually sign ACSA.

Marcos and Takaichi's mutual decision came at the heels of China's continued military actions in the Indo-Pacific, and since Takaichi hinted at the possibility of Tokyo's response should tension at the Taiwan Strait arise, triggering a diplomatic rift with Beijing.

"It is believed that such enforcement of bilateral security cooperation will also contribute to the peace and stability of the region," Motegi said.

Kitamura maintained negotiations for ACSA "did not start last year," and now, both countries are just "approaching the final stage of that negotiation."

In mid-2024, the Philippines and Japan signed the RAA, allowing the smooth entry and exit of the visiting force from either side to the other.

Under the deal, the receiving state shall "expeditiously grant through diplomatic channels clearances to the sending state for access by the vessels or aircraft of the visiting force to ports or airports of the receiving state."

Like the Philippines, Japan has maritime disputes with China as Tokyo asserts its rights over the Senkaku Islands (Diaoyu in China).

"We (I and Lazaro) concurred on continuing to oppose unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion in the East and South China Seas," he added.

Kitamura, for his part, stressed the importance of such cooperation between the two nations as "we try to strengthen our cooperation" under a vision of the Free and Open Indo-Pacific.

Lazaro said "Japan is a vital strategic partner of the Philippines," adding that "our relationship will continue to be bound by shared values of democracy, respect for the rule of law, and a commitment to peace, stability, and prosperity in our region."